A Circle Of Wives: A Novel

By Alice LaPlante

When Dr. John Taylor is found dead in a hotel room in his own hometown, the local police find enough incriminating evidence to suspect foul play. Detective Samantha Adams, whose posh Palo Alto beat usually covers just small-town crimes, is thrown into a high-profile murder case that is more intricately woven than she could have ever imagined. A renowned plastic surgeon, a respected family man and an active community spokesman, Dr. Taylor was well loved and admired. But he led a secret life, hidden from the public eye--in fact, multiple lives. A closeted polygamist, Dr. Taylor was married to three different women in three separate cities. And when these three unsuspecting women show up at his funeral, suspicions run high. Detective Adams soon finds herself tracking down a murderer through a web of lies, marital discord and broken dreams.

With a rare combination of gripping storytelling, vivid prose and remarkable insight into character, Alice LaPlante brings to life a story of passion and obsession that will haunt readers long after they turn the final page. A charged, provocative and surprising psychological thriller, A Circle of Wives dissects the dynamics of love and marriage, trust and jealousy, and poses the terrifying question: How well do you really know your spouse?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781443433686

Alice LaPlante

Alice LaPlante is an award-winning writer whose bestselling books include Half Moon Bay, A Circle of Wives, Method and Madness—The Making of a Story, and the New York Times bestseller Turn of Mind. She taught creative writing at Stanford University where she was a Wallace Stegner Fellow and in the MFA program at San Francisco State University. She lives with her family in Mallorca, Spain.  

Reviews for A Circle Of Wives

[2lz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante had such promise, but for this reader, fell flat. The investigation into the death of a prominent, well-respected, philanthropic, reconstructive surgeon that leads to the discovery of his secret, polygamist life should have been an engaging, exciting read, and for a time it was, but then it seemed to lose momentum. Perhaps it was the lack of any real outbursts, neither ones of rage nor heartbreak, or the somewhat unrealistic actions and attitudes of his first legitimate wife. The most likable character is the one character that the reader never hears from, Dr. John Taylor; he is the one that the reader needs to hear from the most. Why would this educated, apparently kindly man do such a thing, and why aren't the wives more devastated or enraged? For such an emotional storyline, there is a lack of passion. Yes, the characters were sad and hurt, but in a very mild manner. I loved the alternating chapters presenting the story from each of the wive's point of view as well as the detective assigned to the case. The mystery surrounding Dr. Taylor's death was also interesting and engaging and enhanced the story by allowing facts to be revealed as the detective uncovers them. But, the ending was not satisfying.

[micahmom2002 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After the sudden death of a middle aged doctor, three women discover that they are all married to the same man. A young detective must solve the case after the death is considered suspicious.

[randall6hansen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The title says it all; almost gives away the answer. This novel is the story of a doctor who has three wives -- with the approval (and under the direction) of his first wife. But then he dies in a hotel room under mysterious conditions and the story becomes one of a young female detective trying to solve the case -- and figure out which of the "wives" killed him. So moving tale.

[carolfoisset · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great promise but the ending ruined it for me - it was a real disappointment.Character development was excellent and it had me totally engrossed, but then it led me right to a dead end (no pun intended!).

[niaomiya · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"A Circle of Wives" is an entertaining book, almost un-put-downable. A prominent doctor is found dead in a hotel room from an apparent heart attack. His death reveals that he had been living multiple secret lives, with 3 wives in 3 different locations. The book is told from the points of view of each wife, as well as the female police detective in charge of the investigation. Each person has her own personal issues, and it is interesting to hear all of them speak in their own voices. The only part that disappointed me was the end. Almost everything was neatly resolved. Almost. And that's why it wasn't 100% satisfying. It ended with unresolved issues for Samantha the police detective, not so much a cliffhanger as a "why tease the reader with that?" I suppose that Alice LaPlante is planning to write another novel with Samantha in it, and in that future novel Samantha's issues will be dealt with at greater length. But I would rather LaPlante had left out that ending part about Samantha and just let me feel satisfied that the case was closed.

[twink_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved Alice LaPlante's award winning debut novel - Turn of Mind. It was a mystery told through the eyes of woman in the clutches of Alzheimer's disease. Her newest book A Circle of Wives is another mystery that keeps us guessing. Who is telling the truth? Who can be believed? Renowned and wealthy surgeon Dr. John Taylor is found dead of an apparent heart attack. But when an autopsy reveals suggestions of foul play, the case is handed over to Detective Samantha Adams. This is her first serious case. The immediate suspect is of course the person closest to the victim - in this case, Taylor's wife Deborah. Or perhaps it's his other wife MJ? When a newspaper runs a story on the doctor's death, that's when MJ discovers Taylor's bigamy. And then a third wife pops up. "What's going on is the inaugural meeting of John Taylor's spouses, says Deborah. Would we qualify as a coven? A harem? What is the term for a group of wives? Circle. We are a circle of wives." Was it one of his wives who ended Dr. Taylor's life? Which one of them hated Taylor enough to kill him? Did one of the wives suspect he had more than one spouse? LaPlante tells her story from the viewpoint of each of the wives as well as Samantha, the detective. LaPlante has written an excellent mystery. But just as good are the character studies of each main player. They all have reasons to want John dead and each has their own secrets to keep. LaPlante fleshes them out, leaving us to ponder just which one of them is capable of murder and cunning enough to get away with it. I quite liked Samantha as a protagonist. Her struggle to be taken seriously, her dogged determination and her own personal life provided a great secondary story line. Another thoroughly enjoyable read from LaPlante.

[sugarcreekranch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A plastic surgeon is found dead in his hotel room. The death is a mystery (heart attack or murder? if murder, who dun it?). But his death also uncovers a huge secret: he was living three separate lives with three "wives".The book is from the perspectives of each the three wives, and from the perspective of a young female detective working on the murder case. The woman are all very different from each other, some more likeable than others, but all are believable characters.This book was a page-turner for me. I like these thrillers that are a little richer/deeper than a typical mystery. I doubt it will make as much of a lasting impression on me as the author's first book ("Turn of Mind") did, but it was good entertainment.

[techeditor_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a pleasant surprise! Alice LaPlante is able to make a man with three wives (a circle of wives) sympathetic. LaPlante first asks, who would want to murder this man? The answer seems obvious when it is learned that he had three wives. So the next question is, which wife? As we learn more and more about each wife, the answer to that question is less and less conclusive. All three seem to have motive, and with each chapter, your guess will change. The majority of A CIRCLE OF WIVES is worthy of a five-star recommendation. So why only four? The ending to this book is lame. That is the biggest reason. Also, though, the chapter near the end in which all the details of the crime are put together is such a disappointment and gives more credit to the detective than seems likely.I enjoyed A CIRCLE OF WIVES; most everyone will. So I feel fortunate to have won the book through goodreads.com.

[wrbinpa · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was initially drawn to this book because of the abundance of rave reviews and the seemingly interesting premise. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met. It lacked genuineness with a storyline that was quite implausible. Dr John Taylor, a polygamist, who juggled his life among three wives, stretched credibility to the limit.The writing is good, with simple dialogue, and makes for an easy read. The individual stories were cleverly woven together and all came together for a rather satisfying conclusion. However, I never connected to the characters and found them all unlikeable with little or no depth. There was very little suspense or drama and no real intrigue. I found this book to be barely lukewarm - no spark whatsoever. My rating - 2 stars.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lots of twists and turns. You don't find out what really happened to John until the end. John has three wives who don't know about each other until he is murdered. Very well written and interesting.

[judithdcollins · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante is a gripping psychological suspense of a renowned plastic surgeon with three wives, found murdered. With a new detective on the case, a mystery of a closet polygamist with wives in three different cities. Whodunit and the motive?A prominent reconstruction surgeon, Dr. John Taylor is found dead in an upscale Westin Hotel, after paying cash. He was a well known plastic surgeon who specializes in helping children with facial deformities. At first glance, it appears the deceased has died of an apparent heart attack. After closer examination by rookie detective, Samantha Adams, Palo Alto Police – it appears to be murder caused by potassium being injected. When the three wives show up at the funeral, readers find well know doctor had three wives in three different cities. Why get married? Why not just have an affair? Readers hear from the three wives: The southern belle, MJ from Gatlinburg, TN, (the author was unable to capture the southern girl), Deborah of thirty-three years, and Helen the latest wife. All have nice careers and different personalities. Sam is drawn into the domestic web while she examines her own relationship. No likable characters here. The novel had great potential; however, fell flat. You keep reading as you want to learn the identity of the killer. Having read LaPlante’s Turn of Mind, narrated by Jean Reed Bahle, which I enjoyed; however, Circle of Wives, narrated by: George Newbern, Betsy Zajko, Nan McNamara, Deanna Hurst, Kyla Garcia, not so much. The narrator (Samantha) was so boring! There is no humor, emotion, or suspense. I have an ARC of Coming of Age at the End of Days” coming Aug 4, 2015. Here’s hoping it will be better than Circle of Wives.The novel reminded me of I Love You More By Jennifer Murphy (three wives one husband murdered). I actually liked Murphy’s tale of murder and conspiracy as it was at least, funny and suspenseful . . much better than LaPlante’s Circle of Wives.

[susandennis-139327 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book falls fairly squarely in the Not Great But Didn't Hurt Anything category. I was engaged until the end and didn't really feel cheated but didn't feel that fulfilled either. A prominent physician dies. And then it is discovered that he had multiple woman who thought they were his one true love. And then it is discovered he was murdered.